No Lies Who: Avery and Noah When: Afternoon Where: Out!
Avery left Aidan’s house feeling better about the whole werewolf situation. If Lochlan and Patrick were all right and hadn’t felt a lot of pain, then maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. It was still bizarre to think of her family as werewolves, but it had happened, and it was real, and they would just have to deal with it as they could. Of course, her mind was still circling over Aidan’s revelation that Darcy had been spending the night with Noah. That was a whole new world of what the fuckery. She thought maybe they could just be friends, Darcy and Noah, but then Avery recalled her talk with Noah and he hadn’t bothered mentioning Darcy at all. If it had been totally innocent, then he would have said something, right? He knew that Avery and Darcy were cousins. So what did that mean? Was Noah Darcy’s boyfriend? Were they having sex? What about Liam? Avery wanted to track Darcy down and start the interrogation, but she couldn’t do it while she was feeling irrationally annoyed, otherwise she and Darcy would just fight and that wouldn’t answer any of her questions.
She had ditched school, so Avery figured she could just wait at home for Darcy. Unless Darcy didn’t plan on coming home again. Maybe she was still with Noah. Instead of lounging around at home and going nuts from all the questions in her brain, Avery tied her hair into two pigtails resting over her shoulders, and she changed her shoes into comfortable walking shoes before leaving the house. She started toward the pub, still chewing on her fingernail. The thought entered her mind to text Darcy and ask where she was so they could talk, but the idea was derailed by the sight of a familiar face. Lowering her hand from her mouth, Avery started toward the figure ahead with purpose. “Hey,” she called out to Noah, unsure as to whether or not he had seen her.
Noah had been deliberating about whether or not he wanted to spend his day looking for Sylvia again. It didn't seem like it was worth his time now. She was somewhere he couldn't find and she obviously did not want him in her life anymore if she would stay away so long with no further word. Not to mention Aidan obviously had pretty strong feelings for Sylvia and a very poor opinion of Noah. Let the two of them have each other. But first he wanted to make sure that Aidan was actually still trying to find Sylvia. He couldn't shake his need to be sure she was at least okay one last time. He was going to brave the damned pub again. Or maybe he wasn't. Maybe it was stupid and he should just leave it alone.
He had just decided to leave it alone and begun to turn around when he heard someone shout. Glancing around to be sure no one was in trouble, Noah caught sight of Avery heading toward him rather determinedly. She must have an urgent boy question, he mused and stopped moving, standing still so she could reach him. "Hey, Avery," he said in a friendly tone.
She smiled, because it wouldn't be all that welcoming if she approached him with a scowl on her face. Besides, it wasn't really Noah that she was irritated with. It was Darcy, really. And maybe a little bit of Noah. But mostly Darcy. Avery couldn't really explain her annoyance, but that didn't matter. "Hey," she said again, once she had approached him. She stopped in front of him and placed her hands on her hips, her lips parted with the intent to ask about a bazillion questions. Byt then she backtracked and smiled. "Wanna go for a walk?"
Noah tried not to begin a knowing expression on his features. Definitely urgent boy questions, he was sure of it if she wanted to go for a walk. He nodded and shrugged. "Sure, where to?" he asked just in case she was really only asking for an escort for some reason. He could do that too. It gave him a good excuse to talk to her and to not go to the pub and talk to Aidan.
“I don’t care. Anywhere.” She shrugged and started to walk, nudging him gently with her elbow to get him to follow. The only urgent boy question she really had revolved more around him than anyone else. But she would get to that soon enough. “Did you end up finding Sylvia?” Avery was genuinely curious, and it was probably more important to get that out of the way first.
Noah started along with her, half smiling at her elbow nudge. He nudged her back. When she asked about Sylvia though, he sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets, careful not to let the sleeves of his shirt roll up. "No, I didn't. She obviously doesn't want to be found. Or at least not by me anyway." He wondered if Avery knew about Aidan's being involved with Sylvia and glanced over at her curiously.
Avery gave him a slightly apologetic look, because she knew it probably felt crappy to be abandoned by someone you thought was a friend. "Sorry. That's got to suck. Maybe she'll come around soon." Avery was still having trouble believing that it had been Darcy who actually hit Sylvia and made her run off. Of course, she was just making assumptions that it had been her cousin. It was possible that it had been someone else Noah knew, but Darcy was staying with him, apparently, and Avery knew how Darcy could get. Avery felt that restless curiosity bubble up inside of her again, and she slipped her fingertips into the back pockets of her jeans before glancing over at Noah again. "Was it Darcy who made her run away?"
Noah shrugged, his lips pursed in annoyance at the situation. "It is what it is, I guess. She's got someone else to care about her now. Maybe she only needs one friend at a time." The longer he was with Darcy and saw that she presented absolutely no danger to Sylvia the more ridiculous her decision to run and hide felt to him. Especially in light of how she'd more or less written him off over Darcy. Avery's question caught him off guard and his eyes flicked to her faster than they should if he wanted to play it cool. "Y- wait, why would you ask that?"
It seemed silly to only want 'one friend at a time', like friends belonged on some kind of rotation or something. But Avery wasn't Sylvia, and she couldn't even pretend to understand her. Of course, Sylvia wasn't really Avery's concern at the moment. She was more interested in Noah's response, and the his reaction prompted her to give him a look, as if it were stupid to even contemplate denying the truth. "Because she's been sleeping over at your place, and it sounds like something Darcy would do if she got pissed off enough, and Darcy's really easy to piss off."
Noah was confused. How did Avery know Darcy was sleeping over? Had Darcy told her for some reason? That seemed odd, all things considered. He caught her look and gave her one back that said he had yet to deny anything. Good politician's face. "How in the world do you know she's sleeping over at my place?" he asked, still not confirming or denying her assumption that Darcy had been the one to hit Sylvia. And now he also knew why Darcy had told him she hoped he didn't believe the people he met who would tell him things about her.
Avery huffed out a small sigh and rolled her eyes before shifting her gaze back ahead. "I saw Aidan this morning and he mentioned that Darcy had been staying over at your place. And then realized he shouldn't have told me when it was obvious that I hadn't known." Shrugging, Avery looked over at Noah again. "You can lie to me now and say she's not, if that's what you want to do. But I don't understand why it's got to be a big secret."
Noah almost wanted to smile at her impatient response. Instead he puzzled over why it was that where Darcy was sleeping had become public knowledge but he decided it didn't matter really. "I'm not going to lie about it and the only reason I kept it a secret was because that's what I thought Darcy wanted. I guess she changed her mind if everyone in her family knows," he replied evenly with another shrug.
“Maybe it is was Darcy wanted, but she forgot to tell Aidan to keep his lips zipped,” Avery mused. “And it could just be Aidan was the only one who knew. But it’s not like I care. If you guys are a thing, then… whatever. As long as Liam knows and she’s not stringing him along too.” That was where Avery would have a problem, for sure. Arching a blonde brow, Avery studied Noah’s face as they walked. “You knew about Liam, right?”
Noah listened to Avery and even opened his mouth to speak to what she'd said until it registered what she'd included in that all. Liam? Stringing him along too? His brows furrowed, only feeling confusion at this point. He stopped walking. "Who is Liam?" he shot at her.
She had taken two more steps after Noah had stopped, and she paused, turning to face him. Okay, obviously he didn't know about Liam. Dammit, Darcy. Avery felt tense and annoyed, but more at her cousin than anything else. "He was the guy Darcy liked... before you, I guess. Finn’s friend. She bid on him at the auction, and they've gone out a few times after, I think. She seemed really into him, but that must have changed if she’s with you now. I'm just hoping she let him know about you and nothing else is happening there." Because one, that would be really shitty if Darcy was still trying to get something happening with Liam. And two, it would be really, really shitty because Avery was dating Finn, and that put her in an awkward position.
Noah's brows raised slightly, understanding a little better. His heart sank a little at the negative possibility here but he wasn't getting mad just yet. He had nothing to say about someone Darcy liked before him. "She's never mentioned Liam to me. I ... don't think she's still going out with him," he said hesitantly. Not really sure that was true but after last night he hoped it was. It made sense she'd want to keep sleeping at Noah's a secret if she was also dating someone else. Several other things she'd said could fit into that scenario too if he wanted to start conspiracy theories. "He's Finn's friend?" Awkward.
Avery couldn't blame Darcy for not telling Noah about Liam. If Darcy was honest with Liam about having a new boyfriend, then there was really no reason to tell Noah about some guy she used to like. Avery just hoped that was the case, and Darcy was two timing. Avery's expression softened some and and felt some tension start to seep from her shoulders. "Sorry. I'm sure Darcy told Liam about you. It's just... I don't always understand what's she doing, or thinking. It's probably why we don't get along. But yeah, he's Finn's friend. They knew each other outside the dome and came in with a couple other friends. I don't want it to get all messy and complicated, you know? And I'm really not trying to cause problems between you and Darcy either. I just don't want anyone lying, or being lied to." Especially since she liked Noah, and hoped they could be friends.
Noah's mouth quirked up slightly to the left. He could feel Avery was being genuine, at least he hoped so. "Don't apologize, I get it. And I can see how that might be really uncomfortable for you if it involves your boyfriend's friend." Right then he had no idea what to think about anything. A moment ago he'd felt happy with Darcy, just about over Sylvia, and welcoming a new friendship with Avery. At this point he almost felt like he was standing in front of the town naked. He tried not to form any opinion until he could talk to Darcy but that was difficult given all Avery was saying about how she'd thought Darcy felt about Liam. "Yeah, it was Darcy who hit Sylvia," he said quietly, needing to not lie.
She was definitely going to talk to Darcy. Like, soon. If her cousin came home, anyway. Avery had no idea what Darcy was doing, although now she knew at least who Darcy was with. She didn’t look too terribly surprised when Noah confirmed that it had been Darcy who hit Sylvia. “That’s just… messed up. I know she’s got a temper, but…” Oh man, if Darcy ever laid a hand on Avery like that, it would be so over. “Why? I mean, what could Sylvia have done to piss Darcy off that bad?”
Noah began to weigh in his mind what exactly he wanted to reveal to Avery about the situation. Then he realized the only person he'd be protecting was Aidan who'd managed to blab Darcy's secret and say some pretty crappy things about Noah himself. "Because Aidan and Sylvia are involved and Darcy overheard a conversation that sounded off between them. She thought Sylvia wanted to hurt Aidan and when she confronted Sylvia about it... Well let's just say that Sylvia told her to mind her own business in the matter of fact way she has. The rest is history."
Avery's eyes widened and she stared at Noah for a moment, trying to process that bit of information. But nope, not processing in the least. "What? Aidan's involved with Sylvia? What does that even mean? How old is she? She's our age, isn't she?" What. The. Fuck! Were all the guys in her family into teenage girls? Avery realized she needed to not freak out about it, but it was difficult. How was all this going on right under her nose and she didn't even know? Was everyone just that good at keeping secrets?
Noah hadn't expected such a large reaction to his information. He'd half figured she already knew since Aidan talked about everything else. He realized it was sort of mean to pay Aidan back by shocking Avery so he decided to keep the vampire part to himself. "Well that's Darcy's take. As far as I know he hasn't seen her in a while either. And yeah she's our age." Or at least she was. It was kind of messed up for a guy Aidan's age to be into a teenager but whatever. To each his own. "You really didn't know?"
"I didn't know," Avery said with a small shake of her head. Ugh. Really. Gross. But Avery didn't think she would haul off and hit Sylvia over it. Aidan, maybe. But again, that's none of her business. Lochlan and Chiri had been different, because Lochlan was her brother, and Avery felt like she had a right to be nosy and outspoken about her opinion on that. This was a little different. That didn't mean she approved. She breathed in and then exhaled, puffing her cheeks out a bit. "No one tells me anything. Except for today, apparently." Her eyes shifted back to Noah's face. "So, do you actually like Darcy? Like... for real?"
"I'm sorry you found out from me then," he said because he was sorry he'd only told her as sort of a form of revenge. He shoved his hands into his pockets and sighed because this conversation was a downer big time but he'd rather have had it than not. "I know what you mean," he said almost under his breath. Considering Sylvia hadn't bothered to tell him about being a vampire, she'd told a stranger. And then there was possibly a Liam in Darcy's life. He smiled slightly at her question and looked down at his feet, kicking at a rock. "Yeah, yeah I like her. A lot, actually."
She shrugged and looked away. "At least I found out, I guess. I'm sorry you found out about Liam from me, too. I guess maybe there could be a chance she already talked to him and there's nothing to worry about." Avery wondered if maybe Darcy was different with other people than she was with Avery. Because Noah seemed nice, and cool, and Avery didn't really understand what he was doing with Darcy. But that was none of her business either. Maybe guys would just rather have a bitch, the way some girls wanted a bad boy. Avery knew that was harsh, and she felt bad about it, even if she hadn't say it out loud. "Sorry to, like, add to your drama."
What in the world was between these two cousins that they neither of them thought very highly of the other. And yet when he spent time with either one of them he liked them just fine. "It'd be a good thing if she did talk to him already. It'd be a good thing if ... yeah." If he wasn't one of two or several or whatever. He glanced up at Avery and shook his head. "No, you didn't add to it. You kind of uncovered some but it's not your fault any of it's happening. Now I feel like the urgent girl questions I had were really subpar compared to what I should have been asking." He smirked and swept his hair back from his face with one hand.
"Tell me about it," Avery muttered. Then she shook her head and smiled, wanting to push past all the crazy revelations. What the hell was wrong with her family? "You can still ask me girl questions. And hey, I've known Darcy since we were little, so maybe I'll have insightful answers for you. And I promise to be totally honest with them. Cross my heart." She mimicked a big X across her chest with one finger. "I'm reluctant to lose my place as your female advisor on females."
Noah bumped her arm with his elbow, finding a bit more of a smile. She was cute. "You still have that distinction, don't worry, Yawny McBoringpants. But are you sure you want to answer questions about Darcy? I mean, you don't seem to like her a whole lot. Won't your answers be biased?"
“I don’t… I like her fine,” Avery said after a moment of thought. “I just think I’ve tried plenty of times to be her friend, and she doesn’t want it. Having her dump on our family all the time gets old after awhile, you know? But I promise my answers wouldn’t be bias. Well, maybe they would a little, but I wouldn’t start bashing her or anything. You seem to really like her, and I’m sure she likes you too. So…” Shrugging, Avery smiled. “I promise to be one hundred percent, totally honest if you have ever have a question about Darcy. I’ll even take an oath if you want me to.”
He nodded, not fully understanding why Darcy wouldn't want to be friends with Avery. It was another one of those things he didn't understand about how Darcy treated her family. Something she was so lucky to have. "You're fortunate to have so much family alive and here in Delphi," he said wistfully. The closest he'd come to having family had been Sylvia but look at how that was working out for him. He breathed a little laugh at her earnestness. "You don't have to swear any oaths. I believe you. You haven't steered me wrong yet! "Darcy's a rare thing to me. She's important," he said.
"I know I am. We don't always get along, but I know we have it better than a lot of people." Even if she didn't always show her appreciation, it was definitely there. Avery couldn't imagine her life without her brother and sister, or her cousins. Even Darcy. She smiled a little, liking how he talked about Darcy. She and her cousin may not have gotten along, but she still didn't want anyone hurting Darcy, especially not a boy. "That's... really kind of sweet. How did that happen, exactly?" she asked, clearly teasing. Though maybe she wondered what Darcy did to get make guys trip over themselves for her. She knew she shouldn't compare her relationship with Finn to Darcy and Noah, but she couldn't help but wonder if Finn felt that way about her. Or could, anyway.
"You really do," he affirmed with a nod. "A lot better than I think Darcy gets but it seems like you do." The color increased in his cheeks slightly. Sweet. Was it sweet? Yuck. He did not want to sound sweet. He made a face, wrinkling his nose a little but he was teasing a little too. "It's a pretty mundane stoy. She needed a pencil and I had one. We got to talking and just sort of hit it off." It was a very simplistic explanation but he wasn't going to explain about the game they'd played. That was something no one needed to know but he and Darcy.
Avery shrugged again. "She thinks everyone wants to control her. Maybe some of our cousins are a little protective, but it's because they want to keep her safe. It's not as bad as she makes it out to be." Avery was lucky that she could joke about stuff with Lochlan. She knew her brother probably didn't want to ever see Avery making out with a boy, but she doubted he would completely freak out on her. "It's mundane, sure, but mundane isn't always a bad thing. Because now she's important to you. Who knew a pencil would lead to that, right?"
Noah almost smirked as Avery mentioned Darcy disliking her cousins being controlling. He thought back to the times she'd seemed to enjoy playing with him the most. When he had taken charge and been somewhat controlling. He guessed she only liked it when it was on her terms. "It must be hard settling in to everyday life, so to speak, after being out there running for your life on a daily basis. Must feel claustrophobic sometimes." He spoke in 'must bes' because he didn't know what it was like. He'd had to fend for himself and Sylvia too since he was 14 and after they'd gotten into the dome, it had stayed the same though the pace had slowed some. "I'd always heard that pens were mightier than the sword but never knew a pencil had its own powers." He smiled at Avery, his head tilted slightly. "How is your lumberjack?"
“Yeah… the claustrophobic feeling is pretty spot on, especially now with the doors locked. I’m surprised more people haven’t gone nuts from it. I try not to think of it.” She waved her hand and knew that probably wasn’t a very healthy trait to have. It was easier to ignore unpleasantness, or do whatever she could to distract herself from it. Avery smiled a little at his question. “My lumberjack…Finn’s fine. I actually haven’t heard from him in a couple days, but… I’m sure I will.” It felt weird admitting it, because maybe she thought they should at least be texting each other. But Avery knew Finn probably had things on his mind, like Eli, and she told herself she could be patient. Maybe. “No pencil stories there, unfortunately.”
Noah figured he understood why not as many people had gone nuts. It was because they'd all survived something insane and with the doors shut, there was next to no way that insanity could get back in and reach them. Lots of people probably really appreciated that far above their ability to get out of the dome. At least, in his mind they did. Except now there were vampires and werewolves in the dome. And who knew what else. Something was bringing to life impossibilities. If everyone knew about them they'd probably have riots the likes of which no one had seen. He broached that subject tentatively. "I don't think they all know what's going on in here. Do you?" He tried to track on to her answer to his question and he nodded with a bit of a smile. "That's good to hear - that he's fine." Though he couldn't understand why a guy would go more than a day without contacting Avery. Maybe she had good reason to worry or maybe she was far better adjusted than most girls. He wasn't sure because he didn't understand girls enough. "How did you meet him? If there were no pencils involved."
Avery glanced at Noah, aware of what his question was probably getting at. But she focused on his question about Finn first. She had to assumed Noah knew about the werewolves, because Darcy probably told him about Patrick and Lochlan. She knew her brother and cousin would never purposely hurt anyone, but it was still a little unsettling to know everyone in the dome was more or less trapped with a handful of people who turned into wolves once a month. Or maybe even more than that. Avery gave a small nod, frowned once, and then tried to refocus. “Uh, Finn… it was the bachelor auction they had. Darcy and I went…” She decided to leave out the detail of Darcy bidding on Liam. “I ended up bidding on Finn. Our first date was kind of a disaster, so we tried again. So now we’re… you know.” She waved her hand, as though he could catch on. “There’s just been a lot going on, you know… like you said.”
Noah had avoided that bachelor auction like the plague. He hadn't wanted any part in feeling left out any more than he'd already felt back then. Well, until Darcy really. Before her there had been a couple of wishy washy girls who had caught his interest briefly but nobody who would have bid two pennies on him at the auction. Sylvia wouldn't have, he was sure of it. He almost made a face but he managed to stay expressionless. When he heard their first date was a disaster he half smiled. "So you're the sort who gives second chances?" he asked, giving her the benefit of the doubt for not being the reason the date was a disaster. "Yeah, there's been a lot more than most people know about. I have an ear in the town council but not even they are fully aware of everything I don't think. Not really good for Delphi."
Avery laughed once and shook her head. "It wasn't really Finn's fault. It was raining, and the power had gone out, and it was already kind of awkward since it was an auction date, you know? But Darcy told me I should ask him out again, so I did... He's just one of those guys who don't talk a lot, so it's been a challenge trying to get to know him. But, hey, at least I'm trying." She certainly liked Finn enough to keep trying. If she didn't, she probably would have given up by now. Avery bit her lip softly and glanced at Noah. "Maybe it's not all bad. I mean, there's been a lot of freaky crap, but we're not in disaster mode yet, right?"
"Ohh," he said, remembering that storm and the power outtage. "Oh, you tried to go on the date right after the auction? That sucks. But at least you're making out now, right? Has he taken you tree climbing or chopping or whatever yet?" he teased a little. His expression turned a bit serious when she mentioned disaster mode. "No, no we're not but it's kind of close-minded at best and irresponsible at worst for our town council not to know more about what's going on here. They should have their ears to the ground or at least include people who are more socially aware." He half smiled again and glanced away. "Sorry, stepping off the soapbox now.”
Avery poked him in the arm playfully. “No tree climbing or chopping yet, but I wouldn’t say no if that’s what he wanted to do.” She lifted her arms to flex her muscles. “I need to work on these babies, you know? Carrying around a bin of dirty dishes from the pub just isn’t cutting it!” Then she lowered her arms, stretching them in front of her. “It’s okay, I agree with your soapbox. People in charge should know, but if they knew… how do you know they wouldn’t panic first and try to like, corral whoever they think is dangerous, even if they’re not? I’ve always figured that authority is threatened by anyone they think is stronger than they are. I don’t want anything happening to my family.”
Noah eyed her arms and tilted his head slightly, his expression thoughtful. "Hm, you're right. Maybe you should take up lumberkjacking. Is that even a word?" he said with a light laugh. He looked even more thoughtful about her next statement though. "You do have a point. If we have hysterical leaders there could end up being a holocaust of sorts. Concentration camps and extermination. But that's also poor leadership. I wouldn't campaign for that sort of response. Still someone in power ought to have been behind the werewolf encampment and other provisions for anything else that could happen in here." Like vampires. There could be a coordinating program with the hospital to ensure free blood so nobody got tempted to feed off innocent victims. Maybe education or something too. "No, I wouldn't want your family endangered. Or anyone elses," he added as sort of an afterthought though he meant it sincerely.
"If it wasn't a word before, it's definitely a word now. Lumberjacking. I like that. It sounds dirty." She smirked a bit and slipped her hands back into her back pockets. Noah was right about the encampment, among other things. It felt strange, knowing that everyone was taking matters into their own hands, but… sometimes that was probably necessary, and safer. "Well, eventually they've got to find out. And I would hope if they react poorly to it, that people in the dome would take control and make things right. It doesn't always work that way... but what else can we do? It's not like anyone can leave right now. And it seems like the last few nights have been quiet. Maybe it's wishful thinking to hope that the worst crap is over."
Noah smirked with a tiny exhale of a laugh. "Oh good. I'm talking dirty to my ... to Darcy's cousin. Do not tell her," he said though his tone implied he didn't think she'd do that. It would probably be a whole other can of worms on top of the potential "Liam" thing. He wasn't looking forward to that conversation because he fully planned on asking Darcy about it. "I can't see some of the people sitting still and taking that. Especially not those who took matters into their own hands so far. I would hate to see this place under a full lockdown though. I guess we just take the bad with the good and be happy that we're still alive and able to keep moving forward. It's always good to wishfully think, Avery. If you don't, hope dies and then where are you?"
"Lips sealed," Avery promised, pretending to lock her mouth and toss the key away. She really didn't see any need to tell Darcy about any of her conversation with Noah. It was none of Darcy's business, really. Though Avery certainly planned on talking to her cousin about Liam, because... no, that just wasn't right. Her annoyance at that entire situation was temporary forgotten as Noah spoke again. A full lockdown was a bit of a frightening prospect. She could just see some of the powers that be wanting to poke and prod at Lochlan or Patrick, wanting to "contain" whatever they might find dangerous. It was definitely a scary possibility, but Avery knew people wouldn't take that kind of treatment lying down. She smiled faintly at him and tugged gently at his arm sleeve, a comforting gesture from Avery, as she had always been a little uncomfortable with real physical affection. "Then I'll continue to wishfully think. It's too depressing to think any other way."
Noah made a move with one hand as though he caught the key and shoved it in his pocket, pulling his sleeve down over his forearm quickly. She was fun to hang out with and go back and forth with. It was good to have a friend and one like Avery seemed to be one that would stick around. He'd lost his desire to think wishfully a while ago but she didn't need to know that. Stark reality had Noah lost in black and white with no gray areas. Not even Darcy was in a gray area. She was right and that's all there was to it. At least... at least if she wasn't also seeing someone else. He reached out and tugged her sleeve back, his lips twisting up slightly to the left. "Cannot have Yawny McBoringpants depressed. Who would I ask my urgent girl questions then?"
Avery grinned at him, thinking much along the same lines as Noah. She didn’t have a lot of friends, herself, because most of her girlfriends from school were flighty and kind of dumb. Lochlan was probably the closest thing she had to a best friend, which was sad since he was her brother. But Avery had planted Noah firmly in the friend category, and unless Darcy had a major fit about them hanging out, he was likely to stay there. In a way, Noah reminded her of Lochlan in the sense that she could banter with him without feeling stupid about it. “Hmm, without me, you’d be up shit’s creek without a paddle… or, I guess up Girl’s Creek without an Avery. Either way, you’d be so screwed.”
Being in the friendzone was where he wanted to be. He didn't think he could've handled it if she'd suddenly decided he was attractive and changed how she interacted with him. He really didn't have the energy or desire to figure that out. Still, he'd once heard that girls and guys couldn't be friends because they ultimately wanted one thing from each other. That was bullshit, right? Because at this point, all he wanted to do was pick her brain and be in good company. He grinned a bit at her. "Up Girl's Creek without an Avery. Not a place I'd like to be, let me tell you. Girls are way too confusing. I would so be screwed." And really, why couldn't girls all be more like Avery in the less confusing, less complicated, less boobytrapped with hidden landmines department? "So um tell me something about Darcy? Something nice you don't think she would have told me," he challenged.
Avery thought Noah was cute, but he really wasn't her type. Now that she was starting to figure out what her type was, anyway. Besides, she knew Darcy was obviously into him, and that was enough to put any attraction that might have been there completely to bed. She and Darcy might not have gotten along, but Avery would never try to steal one of Darcy's boyfriends. "So screwed," Avery repeated with a nod, laughter threatening in her throat again. "Many boys have experience UGCWA and they've all drowned, unable to navigate the murky, rocky waters that is the female brain. It's tragic, and I'm hoping you don't become another statistic." When he suggested telling him something about Darcy, Avery twitched her lips to the side thoughtfully. Spouting nice about a cousin who clearly disliked her would be difficult. "Um.... for as much as she bitches about her family, she's really ridiculously loyal. I think it extends beyond family too...like, you may not think it about her, but once she cares about you, she'll be there for you if things get really bad. That's one reason why I know she doesn't mean half the stuff she says about us."
"Trust me," he said, laughing by then. "I have no intentions of doing anything to rock the boat. I know that I am fully in need of an Avery paddle in this Girl's Creek. Thank you for your willingness. When I'm mayor, you shall have a seat on the senate." He was only half kidding. Noah's eyes took in Avery's entire face as she answered his question. He was impressed she was so other-centered that she'd give him an answer that nice about her cousin. He knew there wasn't a lot of love lost between them but he hadn't expected to hear something positive from Avery, even if she was good to talk to. Sometimes relationships just were what they were. But apparently Avery was wise beyond her years. He smiled at her. "Good to know. About Darcy. And about you. You might just be the most genuine person I know."
Avery knew she could have gone on a rant about Darcy’s flaws, but Noah had asked her to say something nice, and it would have made her look bitchy to come out with something snarky and mean. That probably would have been a rather fast way to turn Noah off from being her friend, if she started badmouthing his… girlfriend? His something. She laughed a little and shook her head. “I could probably argue that, but I’ll take the compliment. And don’t you dare tell her I was saying nice things about her, because she’ll totally use that against me later.”
Noah gave Avery a look, though it wasn't too serious. He didn't actually believe Darcy would buy it that Avery was saying anything nice about her. As far as he could tell, Darcy thought everyone had a 100% negative take on who she was except possibly him. He wondered briefly if she'd think he was so special if she knew not everyone hated her as entirely as she thought they did. Still. It was nice to know Avery could be counted on to say nice things. That meant what she said to him wasn't as biased as it could have been. "Well unless you're a big bad liar, which I haven't been able to detect so far, you're up there at the top of my list of genuine people I know. I spend my days with politicians and teenagers, let's not forget," he only half-joked.
"I can lie," Avery protested. "I'm just really picky about what I lie about. And to who. I guess I don't feel any reason to lie to you, even about Darcy." Though she was almost positive that whatever her cousin might have said to Noah about Avery, if anything, it probably wasn't too flattering. Darcy would probably have an aneurysm if Noah asked her to say something nice about Avery. There was the mental image of Darcy, red faced with steam literally shooting out of her ears in an effort to find a compliment amused Avery to the point where she had to choke back a laugh. "Promise me when you become Mayor, you don't become a big bad liar either. Assuming you're not right now."
"I appreciate that," he said with a bit of a smile. "I think most people can lie. The trick is to be the sort of person people don't want to lie to." And so far, Avery was a person he didn't want to lie to. It pinged at his conscience how easily and often he'd lied to Audrey the other night. He made a mental note to make it up to her somehow. But at least he knew he could look Avery in the eye. He may have omitted things but he'd made the effort not to lie. He made a terrible attempt at a scout's honor hand sign, not really remembering it from his days as a cub scout. "I promise to be as honest as is necessary for the public safety and, in private, never tell a lie. If I can help it." He smiled a bit more at the last bit. He had a strange feeling Avery might hold him to his promises even years down the line.
Omitting truths wasn't the same as lying, in Avery's book. Well, depending on the situation, of course, and the truth being omitted. But she was probably more likely to forgive that than a blatant, to the face fib. But she didn't think Noah would lie to her. He seemed genuine in that, at least, and it probably helped that she couldn't think of anything they would lie to one another about. She had told him about Liam, even though it may not have been her place. He had told her about Sylvia and Aidan - which was still so ew - but at least she knew now. Avery hated to be left in the dark about stuff, especially when it came to her family. Watching Noah, Avery looked amused. "That sounds so formal. I like it. Here's mine... I promise not to lie to you. Cross my heart," she said, lifting a hand to mimic an 'X' over her chest, "and hope to die. Here, we can pinky swear too." She held up her pinky to him. "Pinky swears are legally binding in Delphi, just so you know."
That was the beauty of uncomplicated relationships. Very little to lie about. Now, if for some reason, he and Avery were thrust into some kind of do or die situation together, he wasn't sure if he'd still be able to be truthful. At the moment, the only secret he was keeping was Sylvia's vampirism and the only way that might come up would be if someone else told her. And he wouldn't lie about it if she already knew. There was no point. "As a mayoral candidate, one must be formal," he said and cleared his throat authoritatively. He tilted his head, amused at her pinky swear but he was game. He held up his pinky, very solemnly though his eyes spoke to his amusement. "Oh they are? Okay, I pinky swear." His shirt sleeve slipped a bit as he held up his arm and he reached to push it back with his other hand before Avery could see the scars on his forearm.
"Then someday I'll have to call you Mr. Mayor. Which actually sounds kind of cool." She curled her pinky around his and squeezed. "It's done then. Let it be known that penalties for lying are harsh and swift." Then she released him, noting how he pushed his arm sleeve back up but not noticing the scars, as her eyes were on his face. "And to celebrate our new no-lying contract, want to go get something to drink with me at the diner?" She might have suggested the pub, but it was probably weird to have a beer in the middle of the afternoon, plus she didn't want to be buzzy before talking to Darcy.
"That's what I'd really like to hear from everyone," he said seriously. He had so many ideas about how to better run Delphi and the programs that could be instituted. He had no idea about budgeting but someone else could worry about that, right? His shoulders shook with silent laughter. "And what are the penalties for lying? No more Avery paddle?" Noah smiled at her suggestion for a drink. It gave him further reason to not go into the pub and talk to Aidan or go looking for Sylvia. The longer she spent away, the more he felt less inclined to find her. Not when he was making new friends who were far less complicated and actually seemed to want him around. "I'm game, sure. I think a no-lying contract is something worth toasting to."
She honestly couldn’t imagine Noah in such an authoritative role, but Avery had always liked it when people surprised her. Life could be far too predictable sometimes. And if that was really his goal, who was she to put it down? “Uh… penalties could be anything from a quick kick in the balls, to bruising pinches to hair pulling. I really think it depends on the offense.” She tugged his shirt again so start in the direction of the diner. “Toasting with a drink… oh! And pie. With a crap ton of whipped topping. How’s that?” Then she could go home and wait for Darcy and ask her what the hell she was doing.
Noah's eyes went wide and he couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Shit, remind me to never get on your bad side! Though the hair pulling might not have the desired affect." He moved with her, sort of enjoying being pulled along a bit. "I have a constant headache and hair pulling is a relief." He glanced sideways at Avery with a smile. "Mmm a crap ton sounds delicious," he deadpanned.
"A crap ton is delicious, because it's whipped topping," she shot back. "And watch yourself, 'cause if you've got a headache, a kick in the balls will help with that too." Avery had a feeling the conversation was going to just go downhill from there. There were so many jokes to make about whipped topping and balls that it felt like her head might explode from biting them all back. But hey, she could use the distraction for awhile. Silly, nonsensical conversation that eased a lot of tension that would no doubt return when she saw Darcy. Until then, screw it, she was going to have fun.